We arrived at Tompkins COE
Campground entrance building at 5:30pm; after a tiring drive through the
mountains of Pennsylvania. The woman
Camp Host handling our check-in was sweet and gave us our paperwork from our
reservation, vehicle passes and pertinent campground info. Our reservation was for site #65 in which we
made months prior on Reserve America.
When we found our site, we were stunned and disappointed. On the Reserve America site, it listed #65 to
be 55’ long. It was 37’ (we measured) so
we had to go back to the entry building office to get reassigned a site. Things quickly went downhill from there. Because we were looking for a two-week stay,
the Camp Host(s) said because every weekend, every site was taken, that we were
out of luck. We sternly told them that
we made this reservation two-months prior and that we should be made an
exception based on the inaccuracy of the Reserve America site listing (which
the info is given by COE) and to find us a site. They clearly didn’t know what to do to find
an answer for us; all they offered was a full refund. They didn’t even think of offering us a spot
in the dry-camping section for an overnight so we didn’t have to go back on the
road fatigued. This was not an option
for us because of the area, not many campgrounds as well as finding something
that will accommodate our size. We asked
that they find us ‘something’. They
called another COE (or so they said) campground but they were already to
capacity. We then said, since they can’t
find us ‘one’ campsite for a two-week stay, let’s look into breaking the time
period up. The woman wasn’t too
enthusiastic nor knew the RA site and how to manipulate it to accommodate our
reservation promise. Finally, she found
three sites for us to go check out. Out
of the three, only one would work, so we unhooked and as soon as we were
getting into the truck to go tell them, their maintenance person drove up to
tell us ‘all of a sudden, a reservation was made on RA for that site’. By this time, we were frustrated and
angry. I then, went up to pretty much
tell them how horribly we were treated.
Finally, they found a site #19 for M-F and then we move to the SITE NEXT
TO US for S & S and then back again to #19 for the following M-F and we
were on our own to find somewhere else to stay the following weekend. Now,
here’s the kicker. It took ALL of our
blocks we brought to level our rig; it was so bad that on one side, all three
tires of our rig were off the ground.
Our rig felt incredible unstable. The site was not long enough for us; nor our
ability to use our back deck when extended.
We had to unload our motorcycle(s) on the narrow road prior. In
addition to that headache, we had absolutely NO connectivity to the internet OR
phone service. The campground is located
in the middle of a ‘bowl’ between mountains.
This also was not an option for us as we needed connectivity because we
had a son who was deployed overseas as well as family in the area with health
issues. We had to find somewhere else to
go.

As a whole, this campground needs
SERIOUS updating from the get-go. The
COE needs to re-measure every site and post more accurate site lengths on the
Reserve America website. Do not trust RA
site measurements and good luck finding someone to get that accurate
information. They need to prune and thin
some of the trees. The campground roads
were very narrow; only one-lane wide at best.
If you were trying to park your RV and needed time, no one could pass or
get around you. Most sites had seriously
low overhanging branches that would damage even the smallest of RV’s or
campers. Most sites were not level;
understandably because it’s in the mountainous region but still, could have a
little ‘engineering’ done to make the sites more level. Some sites that were blacktop surface had
divots and holes from campers who’s jacks may have sunk in; needs to be filled
in. Each site was provided a picnic
table and firepit; both were in fair condition.
The picnic table required us to put a blanket on the seat as to not get
splinters or paint chips. The bath
houses were clean however, needed serious updating with new lighting and
moisture control. The laundry facilities
were there, however, we weren’t there long enough to evaluate them. Quiet time is 10am-6pm. No more than two vehicles and six people per
site. Pets are welcome but must be on a
leash.

Part of the campground (newer
sites – not where we were located) overlooked the COE Lake. Those sites were nice with a view and a
little more in the open; not so overgrown with trees like the rest of the
campground. Those site were either
packed sandy gravel or black top.
Leveling blocks still necessary but not as bad as the other
campsites.

If you’re looking for a ‘campy’,
heavy foliage and trees, tight maneuver sites with very little expectation,
this campground is for you. If you care
about your rig, its stability, its outside fiberglass and decals, then this is
not the place for you.

We do not plan on staying at Tompkins COE Campground again until they make
updates and improvements.

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